EARLIER DAX Function Not recommended
Returns the value in the column prior to the specified number of table scans (default is 1).
Syntax
| Parameter | Attributes | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ColumnName |
The column that contains the desired value. |
|
| Number | Optional |
The number of table scan. |
Return values
The current value of row, from ColumnName, at Number of outer evaluation passes.
Remarks
EARLIER succeeds if there is a row context prior to the beginning of the table scan. Otherwise it returns an error.
It is recommended using variable (VAR) saving the value when it is still accessible, before a new row context hides the required row context to access the desired value.
» 1 related function
Examples
-- EARLIER evaluates a column in the outer row context, in case there
-- are multiple row contexts open in the same expression
--
-- EARLIER accepts a second argument that represents the number of steps
-- EARLIEST retrieves the first ever row context
EVALUATE
ADDCOLUMNS (
VALUES ( Customer[Yearly Income] ),
"Customers", CALCULATE ( COUNTROWS ( Customer ) ),
"RT Customers",
COUNTROWS (
FILTER (
Customer,
Customer[Yearly Income] <= EARLIER ( Customer[Yearly Income] )
)
)
)
ORDER BY [Yearly Income]
| Yearly Income | Customers | RT Customers |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 1,155 | 1,155 |
| 20,000 | 1,767 | 2,922 |
| 30,000 | 2,287 | 5,209 |
| 40,000 | 2,747 | 7,956 |
| 50,000 | 670 | 8,626 |
| 60,000 | 3,127 | 11,753 |
| 70,000 | 2,349 | 14,102 |
| 80,000 | 1,342 | 15,444 |
| 90,000 | 842 | 16,286 |
| 100,000 | 571 | 16,857 |
| 110,000 | 474 | 17,331 |
| 120,000 | 332 | 17,663 |
| 130,000 | 512 | 18,175 |
| 150,000 | 103 | 18,278 |
| 160,000 | 94 | 18,372 |
| 170,000 | 112 | 18,484 |
| 10,000,000 | 385 | 18,869 |
-- EARLIER is superseded by a careful usage of variables.
-- It is a best practice to avoid using EARLIER to make the code easier
-- to author and maintain.
EVALUATE
ADDCOLUMNS (
VALUES ( Customer[Yearly Income] ),
"Customers", CALCULATE ( COUNTROWS ( Customer ) ),
"RT Customers",
VAR CurrentYearlyIncome = Customer[Yearly Income]
RETURN
COUNTROWS (
FILTER (
Customer,
Customer[Yearly Income] <= CurrentYearlyIncome
)
)
)
ORDER BY [Yearly Income]
| Yearly Income | Customers | RT Customers |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 1,155 | 1,155 |
| 20,000 | 1,767 | 2,922 |
| 30,000 | 2,287 | 5,209 |
| 40,000 | 2,747 | 7,956 |
| 50,000 | 670 | 8,626 |
| 60,000 | 3,127 | 11,753 |
| 70,000 | 2,349 | 14,102 |
| 80,000 | 1,342 | 15,444 |
| 90,000 | 842 | 16,286 |
| 100,000 | 571 | 16,857 |
| 110,000 | 474 | 17,331 |
| 120,000 | 332 | 17,663 |
| 130,000 | 512 | 18,175 |
| 150,000 | 103 | 18,278 |
| 160,000 | 94 | 18,372 |
| 170,000 | 112 | 18,484 |
| 10,000,000 | 385 | 18,869 |
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Related functions
Other related functions are:
Last update: Jun 14, 2025 » Contribute » Show contributors
Contributors: Alberto Ferrari, Marco Russo
Microsoft documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/earlier-function-dax